Article Release: Issue 24
Release Date: April 30, 2025
Written By: Written by Alyssa Rodriguez, Elizabeth Cernyar, and Lisa Rodney
Before you ever walk through our doors, your experience with Animal Surgical Center (ASC) begins with a voice—kind, calm, and ready to help. From the moment you make that first worried phone call, to the handoff on surgery day, and the joyful reunion with your beloved pet hours later, our Client Care Representatives (CCRs) are there every step of the way.
Long before our surgeons scrub in, our reception team is already caring for your family—with empathy, efficiency, and clarity. Quite simply, our hospital couldn’t function without them.
In honor of Veterinary Receptionist Week (April 20–26), we’re proud to shine a spotlight on two of our exceptional front desk team members—Elizabeth Cernyar and Lisa Rodney—whose stories reflect just how essential this role truly is.
Elizabeth “Liz” Cernyar: From Front Desk to Front Lines
“As a receptionist, you are the face and voice of the hospital,” Liz shares. “It’s so important to be compassionate and welcoming, because you are the first encounter the client has with our facility—and that first impression matters.”
For Liz, being the person who helps ease a worried owner’s fears is a deeply fulfilling experience.
“There’s nothing better than seeing the relief on someone’s face when they get their pet back and realize everything is going to be okay.”
Receptionists like Liz are often involved in every stage of a patient’s journey—from the first phone call and initial visit to follow-ups and discharge. “You get to build relationships with the owners because you end up talking to them so much,” she adds.
But Liz’s passion for helping animals has taken her even further—she recently made the decision to return to school to become a veterinary technician, so she can be more involved in hands-on patient care.
Lisa Rodney: The Medical Expertise Behind the Reception Desk
“As a veterinary receptionist, we’re the first face clients see—and we often set the tone for the entire appointment,” says Lisa. “It’s like being the force that keeps everything moving smoothly.”
With over three years of experience at ASC, Lisa thrives in this fast-paced, emotionally demanding role, especially during emergencies. “Helping clients overcome obstacles during those stressful moments is incredibly rewarding.”
What many don’t realize is how medically informed veterinary receptionists need to be. From recognizing urgent symptoms described over the phone to answering detailed questions about clinical care, CCRs are often the first line of medical triage.
“You have to learn medical terminology, clinical signs of emergencies, and how to assess urgency just based on what the owner is telling you,” Lisa explains. “It’s our job to know when a situation is critical and when it can wait.”
Her experience at the front desk has also inspired her to pursue her veterinary technician license, so she can take her passion for animal care to the next level and directly assist in patient recovery.
Gratitude for the First Faces of Care
Veterinary receptionists are more than the friendly voices on the phone or the smiling faces behind the front desk—they are an essential part of every patient’s care team.
At ASC, our Client Care Representatives embody compassion, quick thinking, and deep knowledge of veterinary medicine. They help bridge the gap between anxious pet owners and complex clinical care, and their contributions are at the core of everything we do.
Elizabeth and Lisa’s stories are just two examples of how veterinary receptionists make a difference long before—and long after—the appointment begins.
We’re proud to recognize our front desk team as the true heroes they are. Their presence, passion, and professionalism are not only appreciated—they’re indispensable.
About Us
At Animal Surgical Center, our dedicated team is driven by a profound passion - to save as many animals as possible by providing excellent care and service at a fair price.